THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

In a Facebook post, the nightclub, which is owned by longtime LGBTQ+ activists Arthur Johnston and Pepe Pena, said, "Bud Light's decision to drop the Dylan Mulvaney campaign, to put on 'leave' those who crated it, as well as the statement by its CEO, wrongfully validates the position that it is acceptable to acquiesce to the demands of those who do not support that Trans Community and wish to erase LGBTQ+ visibility. In light of this, Sidetrack will cease the sale of Anheuser-Busch products, including Bud, Bud Light and Goose Island 312.

"Until Anheuser-Busch can clearly demonstrate that they will not acquiesce to the voices of hate that wish to erase LGBTQ+ existence, Sidetrack will continue to boycott their products. Until then, Sidetrack will continue to partner with brands that work to give back to the LGBTQ+ Community and lift the voices of all its members."

2Bears Tavern Group made a similar announcement May 4. The Anheuser-Busch brands belong to the Belgian-owned Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) conglomerate.

Anheuser-Busch placed two executives responsible for an online advertisement that featured Mulvaney on leave after a backlash from various anti-trans individuals and organizations, many of whom did proverbial victory laps when the company's sales supposedly diminished in reaction to the ad. Matters weren't helped with LGBTQ+ activists and organizations when, on April 14, Anheuser-Busch North America CEO Brendon Whitworth said in a largely noncommittal statement that the organization "never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people."

Numbers of the AB InBev Q1 earnings call for 2023, held May 4, did not address the supposed sales decline since the Mulvaney ad dropped on April 1, the day after the quarter ended. But AB InBev CEO Michel Doukeris addressed the reported sales decline and emphasized that the Mulvaney ad represented "one post, not a formal campaign."